Load transfer apparatus



March 11, 1941.

c. H.VHUNsAKER u LOAD TRANSFER APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet l.

FIG, 4.

" .INVENTOR v CLAUDE v H. HuNsAKER ATT NEY March l1, 1941. c, H,HUNSAKER 2,234,255

LOAD TRANS FER APPARATUS vVIII FIG. 9.

FIG. 8. INVENTOR CLAUDE H. HUNsAKER BY Y ATTOR Y Patented Mar. 11, 1941UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to load transfer apparatus, :and moreparticularly to an improved, easily portable appliance for unloadingheavy frangible articles from railway cars, motor trucks and otherfreight vehicles, as well as from platforms, warehouse docks and thelike.

The moving and unloading of certain types of relatively fragile orfrangible products, such as large-diameter concrete pipe, large culvertpipe,

w sewer pipe and the like, frequently offer many practical difficultiesin handling the materials upon arrival at the situs of the job, orspecific point of unloading. Even though able to withstand a substantialimpact Without complete breakage, tubular concrete and ceramic productsare still liable to small fractures, chipping, etc., in the event ofmerely minor impacts. Accordingly, it has heretofore been the prevailingpractice to handle material of this kind from cars or trucks by the useof cranes, thus entailing considerable expense for equipment, or in thecase of railroad work, a substantial expense for a work train and crane,often with considerable delay as well as expense. It is accordingly ageneral object of the present invention to obviate a substantial part ofthe expense heretofore attending the unloading of products of the typementioned, as well as to minimize breakage hazards and personal injuryto attendant workmen.

Yet another object of the invention is attained in an easily portableand easily demountable load-transfer appliance which requires no specialskill either to assemble or to use, and which may be easily fabricatedin any structural steel shop at a moderate expense, and practicallyentirely out of stock material, such as structural steel shapes.

A still further object of the invention is attained in :a device whichmay be utilized as a gravity unloader, and, when so employed, re-

quires no `source of power such as an engine, but which depends only onthe force of gravity, under full operator control, entirely toaccomplish its preferred purpose.

A still further object of the invention is attained in apparatus orappliances for use as gravity unloaders, and which are readily adaptablefor unloading heavy frangible objects such as concrete pipe, onto unevenground as along railway right-of-ways, the devices being readilyadaptable to compensate for differences in the terrain onto which thepipe or the like in being unloaded.

Yet a further object of the invention includes 5f, an improved means forcontrolling they gravity descent of the material-receiving portion of anunloader device, in the example presently to be disclosed, Ithis objectbeing realized in an improved friction-brake mechanism, whereby thedescent of the material during unloading, may 5 be surely and accuratelycontrolled at all times, and in a manner to assure personal safety ofthe workers incident to the unloading process.

Ihe foregoing and many other objects will appear from the followingdetailed description of 10 a presently preferred embodiment of theinvention, particularly when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig, 1 is a side view of a load-transfer appliance constructed inaccordance with the pres- 15 ent invention, and illustrating certainsuccessive stages in the unloading process; Fig. 2 is a somewhatenlarged and more detailed side elevation of the unloader assembly; Fig.3 is a fragmentary rear elevation of a portion of the load-cradle 20structure of the device of Fig. 2, as viewed from line 3-3 of Fig. 2;Fig. 4 is a transverse section as viewed along line 4--4 of Fig. 2; Fig.5 is an end elevation of one of the track or skid elements of the deviceof Fig. 2, this figure being 25 considered as viewed along line 5--5thereof; Fig. 6 is a top or plan view of the device of Fig. I2; Fig. '7is a fragmentary top or plan View, showing par-ts of the brakingmechanism; Fig.

8 is a longitudinal section of the device shown 30 in Fig. 7 and asviewed along line 8-8 thereof, and Fig, 9 is a transverse section of thebraking assembly showing portions thereof as they would appearwhenviewed along line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Referring now by characters of reference to 35 the drawings, there isillustrated by Fig. 1 a preferred manner of usage of the unloader,wherein it appears that the device is adapted, for example, for theunloading transfer of concrete pipe sections A, from the deck of a flatcar B. 40 The device includes preferably at least a pair oftrack-forming structures l0 located parallel to each other, and lateralyspaced somewhat less than the length of the pipe sections A, or otherarticles to be unloaded. Since the two track 5.

member |2 provided with a bevelled nose |3. The Z shaped member servesfirmly to support `the upper or loading end of the element I0, upon anedge I4 of the deck of the car. 'Ihe opposite end of the element I isprovided, as best appears in Fig. 6, with a widened base memberprojecting somewhat laterally of, and secured as by bolts or rivets, tothe lower flange of the track element I0. The member 20 obviously servesto increase the :area of the support of the lower end of the stringer ortrack-'forming element, and is particularly valuable whensuch end isresting insoft soil. The opposite flange of the H bar |0 is provided atits outermost end, with angular stop elements 2|, secured as by bolts orrivets, and serving to limit thedownward movement of the cradlesupporting lthel load, all .as hereinafter more fully' described.

As a'means for retaining the trackagevelement in unloading position andin definite adjacence to the car, there is provided a hook 22 adapted toengage a portion of the underframe of the car. This hook is connected toa tie chain 23 which maybe provided with a toggle closing-device 24,andengages one' o f a series of hooks 25 secured to and carried bythelower iiange of `H barl l0.

tie chain arrangement will, as clearly ap- Y pears from Fig. 2, serve topreventany displacement of the unloader assembly, due to the weight ofthe object placed upon it inthe course of unloading.

As lwill have appeared from the drawings, the paired spaced jtrackagemembers ,IllY serve collectively to form a runway for pairedcradle-forming structures,each of which is substantially of inverted Ashape, or may be referred to as of upright'L shape, and since the twocradle-forming members are substantially identical, a description of onethereof will sufce for a description of both.

, A cradle base Stringer may beconveniently formed of a pair of anglebars placed back-toback and suitably assembledas by welding or rivetingin such Amanner that they extend parallel toand operate upon theassociated trackage element |0. The base stringers 30 serve vto carry aplurality of spaced U clips 3|, one leg of each clip preferably beingsecurely welded to the lower angle of the adjacent piece 30, wherebyvthe /U clips serve to receiveopposite marginal portions of the upperflange ofl,the adjacent element l0 andenable the cradle to operatesildablythereupon, yet constrain rthe cradle ,.tomovement definitelyalong the traclr. The outermost end 32 of the member 30 serves to carry,at about a right angle, an element 33 which serves as a back elementYfor the cradle, .and is preferably pivoted to the element 3D as byapivot bolt 32A. 'Ihe element 33 is provided with a plurality of spacedperforations 34 for a` purpose later appearing. This back portion ofthecradle is extendedupwardly of the element `33 as by a steel section35, provided with a plurality of apertures 36 which are substantiallythe same in size andl arrangement as those indicated at 34 in themember33. A pair of holdingpins 31 are provided to extend throughapertures 36 and 34 when selectively brought into register, whereby toprovide for adjustment in the length of the two-part `cradle backconsisting of elements 33 and 35. Pivotally secured to the element is atiltable or pivoted extension piece 40, the pivot for` whichisconveniently Vformed as by a boltv 4| l extending through both pieces 4Uand 35, this pivotal connection serving an unloading purpose, ashereinafter more clearly appears. A There is provided as a connectionbetween the portions 35--40, and the 'normally upper end of the Stringer30, a loadreceiving platform element 42. This conveniently consists of apair of angle bars, assembled in spaced, opposed relation, so that theflanges are uppermost, the load-receiving end of the member 42 beingpivotally connected to the upper end of element 30 as by a pivot bolt43.

Provision is made, in connection with the length-adjustment of parts 33and 35 for a slight variation in angularity thereof, necessitated by theconstant length of element42. This provision consists in locating therows of apertures 34 and 36 out of parallelism with the major axes ofmembers 33 and 35, and by preference, locating the lines of aperturesalong arcs drawn approximately on pivot bolt 43 as a center. Thus as themember 35 is extended, it is brought somewhat, although only slightly,out of parallelism with member 33.'

I Itvwill have been noted as a distinct preference to employ thetrackage elements l0 in pairs, and since one of the cradle-formingstructures is carried by eachl track element, the'frames of the cradleare also utilized in pairs. Due to this fact it is of course desirableto provide fora variation in spacing of the two cradle frames inv orderbest tolcare for different lengths of the articles to be unloaded, suchas concrete pipe sections A. To this end, a pair vof nesting channelmembers are. provided, each detachably secured to one of the members 35,and the distance bar-resulting from the overlapping of the two channels45 and- 46 serves to maintain the two parts of the cradle rin deiinitelyspaced relation.Y Adjustment beelementsV 50 and 5| provided withapertures 52 and securing boltsv y53, whereby the spacers are extensiblein nature. Y, A

It will have appeared from theforegoing description that the loadvabutment arm shown at 40, ispivotally connected to the element 35 bywhich it is supported, thepivot member being exemplified by a bolt` 4|,serving also to provide apivotal connection between the platform member`42 and the riser element 35,3 The advantage ofpivoting the member 40will be apparent from Fig. 1, wherein the piece 40 is shown asconstituting a rigid extension of the'piece 35 for retention of the pipesection of the loading platform.

` When, however, the cradle has attained its lowermost position as shownin. dotted lines (Fig. 1), the arm 40 is released to pivot aboutthe axiselement 4| and thus serve as an unloading trackage or auxiliary ramp orskid, leading from the platform 42, to the adjacent earth orA othersurface of load deposit. Retention of the member 40 in its normallyupright position is accomplished through the provision of fopening inthe web of the member 42,*and opening 56 in the web of the member 40. Aholding pin 51, which is adapted to extend through openings 55 and 56,but which may be easily removed, serves with the pivot 4| to keep theabutment arm 40 in upright position when desired,vbut when. the pin isremoved, this arm may be easily tilted back to constitute the unloadingskid extension of the platform 42. It will be noted that the upper end35A of element 35 is so shaped or out away, that it is free of pin 51,whereby to permit of angular adjustment between members 35 and 42.

The manner of assemblyl and usage of the transfer device or unloader isthought to have been apparent from the foregoing description of theparts and their relation, but it may be noted that when the -car hasreached its destination, the paired track members l0 are set up withtheir extension elements l2 overlying the edge of the car deck i4; thetie chains 23 with hooks 22 are applied and taken up; the spacers 45-46and 50-5I applied respectively to the cradle frames and to the trackelements. lowing this the cradle constituted by the companion frames isfirst adjusted so as to bring the elements 42 to a substantiallyhorizontal position. This is done by raising or lowering the elements 35with respect to the members 33, through removal of the pins 31 and thereinsertion of these pins in the appropriate adjustment openings 34 and36. It will be noted that the different length adjustments provided forbetween members 33 and 35 permit adjustment of the platform 42 of eachcradle frame to the horizontal, irrespective of whatever angle thetrackage elements l0 are compelled to assume by reason of differences interrain adjacent the road bed. After the cradle frames are adjusted,they are brought to a level such that the platform members 42 constitutevirtually a continuation of the car deck i4.- The pipe sections or otherelongate articles may, upon removing their car blocking elements, beeasily rolled to the position shown in full lines as element A (Fig. l).It will be noted that with the parts in this relation, the pipe sectionor other heavy object, virtually forms, in coaction with the two spacedL frames of the cradle, the major portion of the cradle itself, and dueto the weight of the article unloaded, the article serves to maintainthe frames in their intended spacing throughout the controlled descentof the chair or cradle to the position where the article is fullyunloaded.

To the end of controlling the descent of the cradle by gravity, there isprovided a brake mechanism on each of the cradle frames, the brakingdevices each being arranged to coact with the upper flange portion ofthe H bar forming the associated element IB. The braking mechanism, tobe hereinafter described in detail, is controlled through a lever 60,and the paired brake levers 60 are related as through a tie bar 6l, thisbeing provided with a plurality of openings 62 which serve topermitadaptation of the bar 6I to the different spacings of the trackageelements I0. In engagement with the common operating bar 6I is a controlcable 63, which is by preference, directed rearwardly or upwardly of thecradle for actuation by an operator on the car deck or therebeyond. Thebraking mechanism is such that braking actuation of the levers E0 takesplace by movement thereof toward the car, as the assembly appears inFigs. 1, 2 and 6. In this manner the operator controlling the descent ofthe load, is at all times above the same and entirely beyond any Zone ofhazard in the event of breakage or slippage of any of the parts. Thecable 63 and the leverage afforded therethrough and through the lever 60is such that the cable may be easily actuated by hand, but if desired,may be controlled throug a small hand or power winch (not shown).

It will have appeared from the arrangement of the braking systemdescribed that the operator may, once the pipe section is loaded ontothe cradle frame, without any difficulty whatsoever and in a minimum oftime permit the frames and load to come to rest with the cradle at thelower end of the track, following which it will appear obvious from theforegoing description of elements 40, that the pipe section or otherloadI element may easily be rolled off the arms 40 to its position ofrest.

Referring now to the brake mechanism perse, this is best illustrated byFigs. '1, 8 and 9, wherein is shown a brake frame indicated generally at65 (Fig. 2) which serves as a bracket for a horizontal portion 6G of thebrake control shaft 60, the horizontal part of the shaft beingjournalled in suitable bushings or the like (not shown), which may bewelded into apertures in the short angle elements B1. A pair of theseare provided in opposing relation, so that one side of each of theseangles projects beneath the flange of the associated element I 0. Asimilar and reversely re' lated pair of angle elements are disposedbackto-back and entirely above the flange of the H bar I0, beingprovided with 'journal portions or bushings to receive the shaft 66. Thelatter pair of angles areor may be the elements comprising the baseportion 30 of the cradle frame, the specific elements of the frame thuscoacting to form the member 30, and serving to position the brakeassembly, being designated at 68.

lFor the purpose of actuating the brake shoes (later described), shaftportion 66 carries a pair of eccentrics or cam elements 10, which may beidentical, and which are secured to the control shaft portion 66 asthrough set screws 1I, engaging, if desired, a flat part of the shaft.The brake blocks are secured to the inturned parts of the angles 61,being indicated at 12, and secured as by screws 13 to the associatedangles. Afriction facing 15 is provided on each of the blocks 12, andsecured thereto in any suitable manner.

It will appear obvious that as shaft 66 is rocked through its leverextension portion B0, the rotation of cams 1D to a position where theybegin to bear tightly against the upper flange of the H bar I0, willserve to lift the entire brake frame structure 65 in a manner to bringthe friction facing 15 into braking engagement with the under surfacesof the upper flange of the H bar of the trackage. The leverage providedb-y the cams and the lever arm 60, will at once appear as providing apositive and quickly controlled brake mechanism.

The angular relation of the cam 1U with respect to shaft portion 66 ispreferably such that the maximum possible braking effect is attainableas the lever 60 nears the vertical position, but also such that there isno possibility of the operator, through actuation of the cable 63,drawing the lever 60 Abeyond the vertical. It is advisable particularlyin the event the control levers 60 are actuated through a cable, toprovide therefor a return spring indicated at (Figs. 2 and 6), one endof the spring being coiled about the arm 60, and the opposite end beingsecured as tothe element 33 of the cradle frame. Other suitable forms ofreturn spring may of course be provided.

It has been found advisable, in order to relieve the operator ofcontinued attention to the cable 63 and the brake mechanism, to providea positive lock between the cradle framesv and the trackage elementswhen the chair is inits load-Y receiving position as shown in Figs. 1and 2. The detail of the locking mechanism best appears in Figs. 7 and 8as including a pivoted rocker 8l, the

pivot 82 for which conveniently consists of a bolt (Fig. v'7) providedwith spacers 83 and carriedas by the angles 68. The rocker 8| isprovided with a downturned end 84 which is adapted, when in lockingposition, to enter a pair of then-registering apertures 85 in thecradlebase member land 86 near the upper end of the flange of thecooperating track element l0.

`again brought to load-receiving position, the

locking pin 8 4 on the rocker 8| may be either inserted manually in theopenings 85 and 86, or may be thus restored by a quick instantaneousaction of thebrakeleverv.- l

The manner of use of the brake mechanism is thought to be obvious fromthe description of its parts, but it may be noted that, with the cable63 slackened, the return springs 80 will tend to actuate lever 60 in adirection to release the brakes. When however it isdesired to permit thecradle to be impelled by gravity, the cable is slackened just sufcientlyto cause cams 18 slightly to release the brake blocks 'l2 from brakingengagement, through their linings, with the under surface of the H frameflange of :the

trackage. It will be obvious that by alternately lslackening the cableand taking rup thereon as necessitated, the'rate of descent of thecradle and load Amay be regulated as desired and any tendency to anexcessive rate of descent may be checked at will. i

It will have appeared from the foregoing description that the device asdescribed, as Well as the modifications thereof contemplated, will fullyattain eachY of the objects hereinabove specifically enumerated, as Wellas the many advantages expressed and impliedk by the more detailedldescription.

WhileV the invention has been described by making a particular andspecic reference to an exemplary embodiment thereof, many changes may bemade in the parts, their construction and arrangements, and in thesub-combinations utilized, all without departingfrom the full intendedscope of the invention as 4defined by the` appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a load supporting chair for a gravity-operated load-transferappliance, a substantially L-shaped chair frame, a load-supportingstructure connecting the legs of the frame and pivoted thereto, meansassociated with one leg of the frame permitting adjustment of the lengththereof by extension of the*` leg, said adjustment means coacting withpivotal .connection of the load support, to enable an adjustment ofvangularity of the load support with respect to the legs of the frame.

2. In a load transfer appliance of a type adapt-v ed for use as agravity unloader for heavy materials to be removed from freightvehicles, a ramp structure adapted to bridge the deck of thevehicleandvthe surfaceof depositv upon unloading, a'load chair operableon the ramp' structure, and

loading objects from the chair to the surfaceof deposit. A

3. A gravity unloading ramp assembly including a pair of rails or skids,a. load chair operable along the tracks or skids and including arailengaging base, a load platform pivoted at its forward end to thebase, a two-piece extensible back` for the chair to which the platformis also pivoted, the upper piece ofl the back constituting a loadabutment bar normally projecting in a generally upright direction fromthe platform,th e abutment bar being pivotally connected to the chairnear one end of the load platform, and securement means for the abutmentbar enabling' its movement to av position to serve as an auxiliary skidor. track for movement of the load from the chair to the surface ofdeposit of the load.

4. A gravity unloading cradle for use with skids, ramps, or trackagetherebeneath,v said cradle formed of a pair yof load frames, eachcharacterized by right-angularly connected structural steel legs, thelegs'being secured at sub'- stantially -a right angle to each other sothat one thereof is arranged to operate along a subjacent rail or skid,and the other projecting-'genev erally in an upright direction, theupright leg being provided with length-adjustment means including inpart an extensible'portion of such leg, and a' load platform elementpivoted at one end to the extensible portion of the last said leg,andvpivv otally connected at its opposite end to the other leg of theframe, the paired load frames beingy substantially similar, whereby theymay be utilized in spaced relation with a load in bridging relationthereto to constitute the cradle.r

5. The gravity-actuated load transfer device,

ing cradle arranged to operate on the track-'1 y forming elements, andincludingv a pair ofsubstantially L-shaped frames each overlying andbeing slidably operable along one of the trackforming elements, each ofsaid frames being fabricated of structural steel elements connected atsubstantially a, right angle to form the legs of the frame, a loadplatform element-on each frame, pivoted at its opposite endsI to theopposite legs of the associated fname, extension means associated withone of the frame legs, whereby to provide for an angular adjustment ofthe loadplatform member, and to maintain a4 substantially horiz`ontalrelation thereof, irrespective of the angle of' the trackage elements,an independent brake mechanism carried by each of the cradle formbrakemechanisms yincluding a. connecting .bar-

between, and a cable engaging an intermediate portion of the connectingbar, one or more tie bars adjustable in length, and arranged in bridgingrelation to the track-forming elements, to maintain the track elementsin substantial parallelism, and adjustable tie elements connecting thepaired cradle frames whereby the frames coact in supporting oppositeends of an elongate object thereon.

6. In a load supporting chair for a gravityoperated load transferappliance, a pair of substantially L shaped chair frames, each formingone side portion of the chair, one of the legis of each frameconstituting a base portion normally parallel to and arranged to operateon a subjacent track element, a load-supporting structure pivotallyconnected at its forward end to the base-forming leg of the frame, andat its opposite end to the other leg of the frame, means associated withthe last said leg of the frame permitting adjustment of the lengththereof by extension of the leg, said adjustment means coacting with thepivotal connection of the load support, to enable an adjustment ofangularity of the load support with respect to the legs of the frame.

7. In a load supporting chair for a gravityoperated load transferappliance, a pair of substantially L shaped chair frames, each formingone side portion of the chair, one of the legs of each frameconstituting a base portion normally parallel to and arranged to operateon a subjacent track element, a load-supporting structure pivotallyconnected at its forward end to the base-forming leg of the frame, andat its opposite end to the other leg of the frame, means associated withthe last said leg of the frame permitting adjustment of the lengththereof by extension of the leg, said adjustment means coiacting withthe pivotal connection of the load support, to enable an adjustment ofangularity,

of the load support with respect to the legs of the frame, the saidadjustable leg of the frame being formed of two slidably relatedelements, and sai-d adjustment means being provided by a series ofcorrespondingly spaced apertures in said elements, and a locking pinadapted to engage registering apertures in said elements for securementthereof in adjusted relation.

CLAUDE H. HUNSAKER.

